Type setting and distributing machine



(No Model R. W'QNELSON. TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE. No. 473,405. Patented Apr. 19, 1892.

ms nonms PETERS c0., Puorwumo WASNINGTON, w, c.

llnrrnn I STATES ROBERT V. NELSON, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

TYPE SETTING AND DISTRIBUTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 473,405, dated April 19, 1893.

Application filed February 4, 1892. Serial No. 420,368. {No model.)

T0 at whom it may concern.-

provide an improved construction of typedistributing machine by which type shall be properly distributedindependently of their position in the distributingchannels, and, further, to provide a construction of combined type setting and distributing machine employing a plurality of channels for the same type, in which the type shall be distributed to the several composing-channels in the same proportion as they are taken therefrom during the operation of setting.

For the purpose of increasing the distributing capacity distributing-machines and combined machines have been provided with a plurality of channels for the same letter or space, and the selecting nicks and wards or similar selecting devices have been placed at equal distances from both ends of space-type, so as to secure their proper distribution independently of their endwise position, but a difficulty in distributing spaces still exists, due to their failure to distribute when turned over sidewise, the nicks then being on the opposite side of the channel from the wards, and failing to register. Many devices have been used for the purpose of avoiding this difficulty and securing the proper distribution of spaces in any position in which they may be presented, but all such devices have been found objectionable. For instance, the spacetype have been nicked similarly on both edges. It is evident, however,that this weakens the type greatly,.and, moreover, it is objectionable in high-capacity combined machines in which a plurality of distributing and receiving channels are used for the same space, as a much larger quantity of the spaces will be distributed into one of the channels, and this may not be the one used most in setting. I avoid this difficulty and provide a construction by which the space-type may be nicked on one side only, but are properly distributed intoa plurality of channels and in the same proportion as they are used in setting, so that the channel which is used most in setting is always supplied most largely with type. I attain this result by reversing the wards in different channels for the same space-type, so that a type lying wrong side up to distributein the first channel for its class of type will be distributed into the second channel. As all the type used in machine composition pass from the composing-case into the line and thence are returned to the distributing-channels withoutchange of position, it is evident that type taken from one of the channels for that type in the composing-case will be returned on distribution to the same channel from which it was taken, so that the proper relative quantities of space-type are supplied to the differentchannels in accordance with their use in composing.

WVhile my invention is of general application in other classes of distributing and combined machines, it has been devised especially for use in a combined type setting and distributing machine of the general construction shown and described in United States Letters Patent Nos. 232,167, 283,934, 372,186, 372,187, and later patents, and it will be shown and described as thus applied.

The organization and operation of the parts of the machine in connection with which the construction of the present invention is used are fully set forth in the above-named Letters Patent, and only a sufficient showing will be made to illustrate the application of the present improvement, reference being made to the above-named Letters Patent for a full showing and description of the machine.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, I have shown a horizontal section of a composing-case similar to that of the patents above referred to, the section being taken on such a line as to show the selecting-Wards of the channels.

Referring to said drawing, A is the com: posing case, provided at its periphery with the channels a, into which the type are distributed and from which the type are taken in setting, these channels being provided with the usual selecting-wards 1. While I have shown only six channels, as this is suflicient to illustrate my invention, it will be understood that the entire periphery of the cylinder is occupied by similar channels.

An examination of the drawing will show that two channels are shown for each type, these type representing spaces of different thickness. For convenience of reference the pairs of channels will be grouped and the different spacetype of the pairs of channels lettered, respectively I) c d. It will be seen that all the type are provided with nicks 2 on one side, corresponding to the wards lin their respective channels a, and that the wards.

and nicks for the diiterent type are positioned at different distances from the ends of the type, but those for the same type at equal distances from opposite ends, so that the type may be distributed when turned end forend, all as usual in this class of machines. The type may be nicked on one side only, as shown in the case of type b c, or on both sides, as shown in the case of type (Z, the latter construction being preferable with thick type, such as quads, which are not weakened too much thereby, as it atliords a support on both sides for the type following the quad. The construction shown, however, is new, in that the wards of the different channels for j the same type are reversed from each other i that is, placed on opposite sides of the channel. If, therefore, type I). c, or d reaches the first channel so positioned that its nicks are in proper position to match the wards, such. type will be distributed in the first channel. If, however, the type reach the first channel the other side up, so that its nicks are on the opposite side of the type from the wards, it

will pass this channel without distribution but be distributed into the next channel.

While I have shown and described my invention as especially designed for distributing space-type in combined type setting and distributing machines, and in such machines as at present made the invention cannot readily be applied to letter type except in special cases, on account of the necessity of their entering the composing-channel with a certain side up, it will be understood. that my invention is applicable, also, to letter-type generally in all machines in which this necessity does not existfor instance, in machines used for distributing into receiving channels or boxes loose,in which the position of the type is immaterial, and that Iclaim the invention, 5 5 broadly, including such application.

hat I claim is 1. In a type-distributing machine, the combination,with the distributing-channels, of a plurality of receiving-channels for the same type, having reversely arranged selecting Wards, substantially as described.

2. In a combined type setting and distributing machine, the combination, with the distribLuing-channels, of a plurality of composing-channels for the same type, having reverselyarranged selecting-wards, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT IV. NELSON.

Vitnesses:

T. F. KEHOE, O. J. SAW'YER. 

